‘Calllous’ attack on memorial to victims of loyalist attack slammed

The vandalism of a memorial for victims of a UDA gun attack in Belfast has been criticised as “absolutely callous”.

Paint was thrown over the plaque for victims of the Sean Graham Bookmakers attack on the Ormeau Road in 1992.

Five Catholics were killed in the loyalist gun attack and another seven people were injured.

The PSNI said it is treating the attack as a “sectarian-motivated hate crime”.

Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey said: “The attack on the memorial for those who were murdered in the Sean Graham’s bookies atrocity is absolutely callous and has caused great distress to families.

“This has taken place at a time of heightened tensions that have been created by those who want to drag us backwards 25 years and now families who have already suffered huge trauma are being retraumatised.

“Memorials for those who have been killed are sacrosanct and should be respected by everyone.

“This is a clear hate crime and we have reported it to the PSNI. Anyone with information should bring it forward to the police.”

Police forensic officers were at the scene of the vandalism attack on Thursday.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “A report was received shortly after 9am this morning, Thursday 3rd September, of damage caused to a memorial plaque in the Hatfield Street area of the city.

“During this incident paint was thrown at the memorial by two unknown individuals at approximately 5am this morning.

“Both suspects have then fled the scene on bicycles onto the Ormeau Road, in the direction of the Ormeau Bridge.

“An investigation is under way with further inquiries ongoing to establish the identify those involved.

“We are treating this as a sectarian-motivated hate crime.”

The spokesperson appealed for anyone with information about the incident to contact them.